'It's really unfair': Mel Gibson discusses his anti-Semitic comments... and says it's 'annoying' that people still bring them up 10 years later

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It has been 10 years since a drunken Mel Gibson infamously made anti-Semitic comments while being arrested for driving under the influence.

And as the 60-year-old makes an astonishing comeback with his new movie Hacksaw Ridge, he has said it's 'really unfair' that people still focus on his disgraceful behaviour.

Mel discussed his remarks and the fallout on Thursday during an interview with Variety's podcast Playback. 

'It's a dim thing in the past': Mel Gibson has said it is 'really unfair' that people still bring up his anti-Semitic comments. He is pictured here at a Hacksaw Ridge screening last week

'Ten years have gone by,' he said. 'I’m feeling good. I’m sober, all of that kind of stuff, and for me it’s a dim thing in the past.

'But others bring it up, which kind of I find annoying, because I don’t understand why after 10 years it’s any kind of issue.' 

The Braveheart star added that he does not discriminate, and that he shouldn't be judged for the despicable things he said while drunk.  

'Surely if I was really what they say I was, some kind of hater, there’d be evidence of actions somewhere,' he offered. 'There never has been. I’ve never discriminated against anyone or done anything that sort of supports that reputation.

'And for one episode in the back of a police car on eight double tequilas to sort of dictate all the work, life’s work and beliefs and everything else that I have and maintain for my life is really unfair.'

Arrested: The actor and director told a police officer that 'Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world' when he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in 2006

Mel penned an apology letter to the Jewish community after making the anti-Semitic comments to a police officer in 2006 when he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. 

The actor and director had said, according to the police report: 'F**king Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world. Are you a Jew?'

James Mee, the arresting Sheriff's Deputy, was Jewish.

It was also noted in the police report that at one point Mel noticed a female officer, and shouted at her: 'What do you think you're looking at, sugar t*ts?' 

'There is no excuse': Mel, pictured here last week, apologised for his comments at the time. He said on Thursday that now it's 'annoying' he is still judged for them

In his apology letter to the Anti-Defamation League, he wrote: 'There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of Anti-Semitic remark.

'I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge.'

He had previously said in a statement that he was 'taking the necessary steps' to against his battle with alcohol abuse.

Astonishing comeback: Mel is making a comeback with Hacksaw Ridge, and is seen last week at a screening of it with (L-R) Andrew Garfield, Teresa Palmer, Luke Bracy and Vince Vaughn

'I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable,' Mel added. 'I am deeply ashamed of everything I said, and I apologize to anyone I may have offended.' 

Mel however did not say sorry for derogatory comments he made about gay people in an interview with Spanish newspaper El País in 1991, telling Playboy in 1995 that he will 'apologise when hell freezes over'.

A few years later, he admitted: 'I shouldn't have said it, but I was tickling a bit of vodka during that interview, and the quote came back to bite me on the a**.'

Huge family: The 60-year-old is also expecting his ninth child and his first with girlfriend Rosalind Ross, 26, who he is pictured with on Monday

And in 2010, during a recorded phone call between Mel and then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, the actor could be heard using the N-word, and telling Oksana that if she were to be 'raped' it would be her fault. 

The following year, he pleaded no contest to battering his former girlfriend. 

However Mel is hoping to put his past behind him as he promotes Hacksaw Ridge, his first directorial effort in 10 years. The film is already generating Oscar buzz.

Meanwhile Mel's 26-year-old girlfriend Rosalind Ross is currently expecting his ninth child.

Already a frontrunner: The war drama, which is Mel's first directorial effort in 10 years, is already generating Oscar buzz